Somerset artists display their work at library

SOMERSET — It is pretty evident through looking at the exhibit at the Somerset Public Library, that there is a lot of talented artists in town.

The exhibit, which opened Monday, showcases art from people who live or work in Somerset or are members of the Friends of the Library.

"It's always surprising for me to see the talent," Somerset Public Library Director Bonnie Mendes said. "For a majority of these artists, it's just a hobby. A couple of them are professionals, but they're just beautiful."

There are 36 entries in the exhibit from many types of media. They range from a digital media creation done by Jay Richard called "The Poly Islands," to a more traditional oil painting of a light house done by David Silvia, called "Harbor View," to a water color painting done by Bryan Andrew called "Cape Light," to a pastel painting of hydrangea done by Tina Pacheco, to an acrylic painting of a swan by Paul Hitchen, to some artistic photographs done by Heath Pettine, some pencil/pen drawings done by Richard Poisson of a 1934 Packard car and a 1913 Mercer owned by comedian Jay Leno, to the needlework that Elizabeth Walmsley uses to make a design of a puppy looking out a window and a Christmas scene.

The library has been holding the exhibit for local artists since 1997 and Ms. Mendes said a lot of artists from past years are showing new work this year. The art show was first held outside, was forced inside the next time because of weather and has been kept inside ever since. This year's show will run until Oct. 20.

"We've expanded it over the years, from a weekend to a week," Ms. Mendes said. "Last time, we did it for two weeks. This year, it's three weeks. I think that gives people a chance to come in here and look at it. I think that's what art galleries would do."

Some of the other artwork in the exhibit includes a watercolor painting called "Forest Floor" in which Linda Pelletier paints different animals, Mona Dumoulin Cross's oil paintings for fields with irises and lillies, Laurie Rapoza's oil painting of a peace dove, Anne Kachajan's acrylic painting called "Expectations" which shows two dogs looking through the mail slot of a door, Isabel Jamrog's small quilt and Joanne Friar's acrylic gouache called "New England Bog." Somerset resident Gabriel Furtado entered a photograph of a laser show at Epcot Center from b1985, James Minior used graphic design to display type in an interesting way and Suzanne Richard is displaying a couple of three-dimensional pieces called "Simple Elegance" and "Rose from the Heart."

Ms. Mendes said she can see the influence of the area on a lot of the artwork as many of the artists paint waterscapes. Somerset resident James Borden did oil paintings of two light houses on Cape Cod. Ms. Mendes loves one painting of sheep that are on land along a river because it reminds her of an area of the Taunton River that becomes marshy near Dighton.That oli painting was done by Una Boulay.

There are also two pencil drawings done of wrestlers by sixth grade student Brady Oliveira that are placed next to a painting of swimmer Michael Phelps by Brian Fox. Oliveira said that Fox, who has become nationally known for his paintings of sports stars, is his "mentor." Mr. Fox donated the painting of the swimmer to the library during the summer when he was competing in the Summer Olympics in London.

Some of the art is for sale, but if people are interested in buying it, Ms. Mendes said they have to deal directly with the artist and not the library. She said she also does not want any of the art sold during the exhibit.

On Oct. 20, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be an artists' reception, when people can meet and talk to the artists who currently have their work on display in the library, located at 1464 County St. in Somerset. Ms. Mendes said there will also be refreshments for people to enjoy that day.